SFC: a tale of two 'goals' as Dunboyne prevail

September 07, 2009

Dunboyne keeper Johnny O'Connor

A tale of two 'goals' as Dunboyne prevail
Dunboyne 1-12
Walterstown 0-12
The old adage about goals winning games certainly held sway as Dunboyne claimed a vital victory in this dour encounter at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday evening.
Last year's Feis Cup finalists were leading by 0-08 to 0-06 at the end of a free-ridden opening period when a Christy Reynolds effort for Padraig Coyle's side that ended up in the net was ruled a 'square' ball.
A Stephen Moran free on the resumption made it 0-09 to 0-06 before the excellent Colm Brennan's second point was cancelled out by frees from Alban Crosbie and Charlie McCarthy as Dunboyne still led by 0-10 to 0-09 entering the final quarter.
Then came the defining moment. Tommy O'Connor got on the end of a fluid passing move before being bundled to the ground. His cousin Stephen Moran duly blasted the resultant penalty to the net to give the 2005 Champions an advantage they held thereafter.
Points followed from Moran (free) and corner back Stephen McKenna before McCarthy, Crosbie and David Reynolds registered at the other end to leave the closing minutes anxious for the eventual victors who were saved from dropping a point when Johnny O'Connor dived full length very near the end to keep out a fisted effort.
Dunboyne: J. O'Connor; P. Fagan, David Gallagher, S. McKenna (0-1); C. Brennan (0-2), Denis Gallagher, G. Watters; N. Crawford (0-1), C. Berrigan; D. Clarke, T. O'Connor (0-1), S. McGarrell (0-1); G. Robinson (0-1), C. O'Donoghue, S. Moran (1-5). Sub; M. O'Grady for Watters.
Referee: M. Quinn (Clann Na nGael)